With school now wrapping up, Lau is focused on his opportunity to compete in the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing that begins next week Saturday, November 12.

Ian Gentil. Photo: Baker

Lau maintained the momentum he had built through today’s rounds and kept his rivals on the defensive for the duration of the 35-minute final. Gentil offered up the strongest challenge, posting the highest single wave score of the final for a couple of critical fins-free maneuvers that earned him 6.8 points out of 10. But without a second solid score, he was no match for Lau, whose professional competitive experience eclipsed the 15-year-old. Alexander and Kemper were in a similar position, finding themselves short on back-up scores.

This is Lau’s second ASP victory this year, having taken out the equally rated 4-star Copa Quiksilver El Salvador event back in July.

“This is my first year doing a lot of the WQS events,” said Lau. “I got a lot of opportunities to travel more and I had a good summer. I did this event last year and it was totally different. I was struggling through the whole event. I just wanted to come over this year and improve on last year. I did that and I’m happy with a win. I’ve been looking forward to this my whole life pretty much, watching everyone get out there and get in the Vans Triple Crown, so just to get in it, I feel honored.”

Hank Gaskell. Photo: Baker

Maui’s Hank Gaskell, the 2009 HIC Pro champion, lost in the semi-finals today but still amassed sufficient points to win the 2011 ASP Hawaii Regional Champion title. His result earned him $1,000 and a wildcard into the first two events of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

“It means a lot to me,” Gaskell said of his ASP Hawaii Championship. “There are so many good surfers in Hawaii. Even though there are only three events, it’s the closest thing we have to a (regional) tour out here. Just to get the seed into the Triple Crown, that’s what I’m most excited for. I’ve surfed against all those (world tour) guys before, it’s always good to surf against the best guys in the world. It’ll push me to do my best, personally. I just hope I can battle them.”

The HIC Pro (Oct. 28-Nov.10) and Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (Nov. 12-Dec. 20) round out the 2011 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour, crowning the regional and world champions respectively. The 2011 ASP tour then commences in Hawaii with events in January and February to close out the Hawaiian winter.